Bail Set at $1.25 Million for Derek Chauvin in George Floyd’s Death

Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer facing second-degree murder charges in the death of George Floyd, will be held on $1.25 million unconditional bail or $1 million conditional bail, a judge ordered during his Monday video court appearance, as per ABC News. Prosecutor Mathew Frank argued that because of the case’s high-profile nature, Chauvin could be a flight risk. The former officer’s bail conditions therefore include surrendering guns, not working in law enforcement or security, maintaining no contact with Floyd’s family, and not leaving the state without permission.

Chauvin is accused of second-degree murder, third-degree murder and manslaughter charges when it comes to his involvement in the death of Floyd, a 46-year-old black man whose neck the former officer knelt on for close to nine minutes as he pleaded he couldn’t breathe. Chauvin has yet to enter a plea in his case but waived his right to appear in person on Monday, instead appearing by video from the state prison in which he is being held.

The other three officers involved with Floyd’s arrest — Tou Thao, J. Alexander Kueng and Thomas Lane — also have been charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder, but have yet to appear in court. Chauvin’s next court appearance was set for June 29.

As protests continue in their second week since Floyd’s death, friends and family members gathered to celebrate the life of the “gentle giant” during a memorial service over the weekend. Hoke County Sheriff Hubert Peterkin also spoke, urging police across the country to acknowledge “we are part of the problem.” He told the crowd, “We as law enforcement officers don’t have the authority to bully, push people around and kill them because we have on a badge and a gun,” he said. “It’s got to change. We keep talking, we keep talking, we keep talking until it happens again. … Enough of talking. Don’t let the life of George Floyd be in vain.”

Minnesota State Attorney Keith Ellison, who was appointed to handle Floyd’s case by Gov. Tim Walz, said in a news statement that people should expect a “dose of reality” when following the prosecution of Chauvin and the three other officers. “Prosecuting police officers for misconduct, including homicide and murder, is very difficult, and if you look at the cases that have been in front of the public in the last many years, it’s easy to see that is true,” he said. “Every single link in the prosecutorial chain will come under attack as we present this case to a jury or a fact finder.”